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FG mulls genebank for conserving plant diversity

By Cornelius Essen, Abuja
05 November 2018   |   4:11 am
The Federal Government has concluded arrangement to make use of seven national parks to serve as genebank for genetic resources conservation.

[fIle] The Conservator General of NPS, Ibrahim Goni. Photo/NAN

The Federal Government has concluded arrangement to make use of seven national parks to serve as genebank for genetic resources conservation.

The Conservator-General, National Parks Service (NPS), Ibrahim Goni revealed this when members of Bikers Association paid him a courtesy in Abuja recently.

He explained that in our parks, there are animals and genetic resources that are still in their original state, which they have preserved for sustainable use.

According to him, these genes are vital for our future wellbeing, and biodiversity and nature are on their own, as well as serve as sources of wonders and delight.

“We have wild species that flourish as natural systems that can help regulate climate change, air quality, and cycles of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, mineral elements and water,” he added.

He further explained that the service was reaching out to both national and international bodies to make national parks household name, calling on them to showcase country’s rich heritage to the world.

Earlier, President of Latin American Motorcycle Association (LAMA) in Nigeria, Ernest Akhikpemelo told Conservator-General that they were on tour organised by National Commission for Museums and Monuments.

He assured that ‘Rediscover Nigeria Heritage Tour 2018 was borne out of the need t explore a unique way to promote and propagate tourism potential inherent in our culture using biking expedition.

Akhikpemelo also said that they are considering making it annual event, adding that Bikers will FCT, Niger, Kogi, Anambra, Cross River, Rivers, Bayelsa, Edo,Ondo, Osun and Lagos.

He therefore noted that the tour would help discover new frontiers for the promotion of tourism as well as create awareness and stimulate the usage of such to boost the sector.

“We will do video and pictorial coverage of monument sites that abound and to beam them to local and international audiences. This will attract attention public to museums and culture,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Federal government is planning to introduce a national plastic management policy in order to check the proliferation of plastic waste materials in the country.

When fully implemented, the policy would guide the course of action for relevant stakeholders in mitigating the alarming spread of single use plastic materials in our daily lives.

Minister of state for environment, Ibrahim Jibril disclosed at 2018 National Advancement Conference in Abuja, maintained that all hands must be on deck to beat plastic pollution.

Represented by Dr. Domini Abonyi, Registrar of Environmental Health Officers Registration Council of Nigeria said that government has resolved to improve health status of Nigerians.

He added that they would provide needed support and guide towards enhancement of environmental services by fostering collaboration with partners nationally and internationally.

On Ogoni clean up, Jibril argued that government was placing high premium on the project, aimed at reclaiming land hitherto contaminated by oil spills, and give citizens clean water and air.

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